The Spezia: Market Visit and Seafood Cooking Class With Lunch

Ligurian cuisine is a gastronomic treasure trove, and there’s no better way to uncover its flavors than through a hands-on cooking class in La Spezia. Imagine strolling through the bustling local market, hand-selecting the freshest ingredients under the guidance of an expert chef. Then, learn to prepare traditional seafood dishes and regional specialties, from mussels and cod to gnocchi and tiramisu. As you craft this full Ligurian-style meal, you’ll gain invaluable culinary skills and cultural insights – all while savoring the fruits of your labor alongside a bottle of carefully selected Italian wine. This immersive experience promises to transport you to the heart of Ligurian gastronomy.

Key Points

• This 3-hour cooking class in La Spezia, Italy, offers a hands-on experience in preparing a full Ligurian-style meal, including seafood, gnocchi, and tiramisu.
• Participants will visit the local market to learn how to shop like a local under the chef’s guidance and select fresh, seasonal ingredients.
• The class includes personalized attention from the chef, who will teach participants Ligurian cooking skills to recreate authentic flavors at home.
• The meal is paired with a hand-picked bottle of local wine, providing a complete culinary experience.
• The class is suitable for up to 8 participants and is offered in English, Italian, and French.

Trip Details

The cooking class and market visit lasts for 3 hours and is limited to a maximum of 8 participants.

The activity is offered in English, Italian, and French. This intimate group size allows for personalized attention from the chef.

During the half-day experience, you will explore the local market and learn how to shop like a local. They’ll then head to the kitchen to prepare a full Ligurian-style meal, including seafood, gnocchi with pesto, and tiramisu.

The freshly cooked dishes will be enjoyed alongside a hand-picked bottle of Italian wine. By the end of the class, you will have gained valuable cooking skills and recipes to recreate the authentic flavors of the region.

Highlights

During this hands-on culinary experience, you will learn the preparation of regional specialties like mussels and cod (baccalà). They’ll also make gnocchi with fresh pesto and the classic Italian dessert tiramisu, pairing the meal with a hand-picked bottle of local wine.

The class offers a unique opportunity to learn how to shop like a local, selecting fresh, seasonal ingredients at the market in La Spezia. Guests will come away with Ligurian cooking skills they can share with friends and family back home, recreating the dishes using the provided recipes.

This immersive experience promises to be a delightful blend of local flavors, cultural insights, and hands-on instruction.

Activity Description

Participants commence their culinary journey with a visit to the bustling market of La Spezia, where they’ll learn how to navigate and select the freshest, most seasonally appropriate ingredients like the locals.

Under the guidance of an expert chef, they’ll carefully choose fish and regional vegetables to incorporate into their Ligurian-style meal.

Back in the kitchen, the group will dive into preparing a delightful spread – seafood, vegetables, homemade gnocchi with fragrant pesto, and the classic Italian dessert, tiramisu.

To complement the feast, they’ll pair the dishes with a hand-picked bottle of local wine.

With the meal complete, you will leave with not just full stomachs, but also the skills to recreate the authentic Ligurian flavors at home.

Inclusions

This experience includes a visit to the local market, where you will learn how to shop like a local.

They’ll also receive a hands-on cooking lesson from an expert chef, enabling them to prepare a full Ligurian-style meal. Printed recipes are provided so participants can recreate the dishes at home, and the lunch with drinks completes this immersive culinary adventure.

The market visit allows guests to select the freshest, seasonal ingredients, like fish and regional vegetables, to cook in the Ligurian style. The chef will guide everyone through the preparation of seafood, gnocchi with pesto, and a classic tiramisu dessert, all paired with a hand-picked bottle of Italian wine for a truly authentic taste of the region.

Logistics

The experience takes place at the Chiesa Salesiani Nostra Signora Della Neve, where you will meet to begin their culinary adventure.

A flexible cancellation policy allows guests to make changes up to 24 hours in advance, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

From the meeting point, the group will embark on a guided tour of the local market, where they’ll learn how to shop like a true local.

With the fresh ingredients in hand, the class will move to a cozy kitchen to prepare a delectable Ligurian feast, including seafood, gnocchi with pesto, and the classic tiramisu.

At the end of the class, you will savor the fruits of their labor, paired with a hand-picked bottle of Italian wine.

Prepare Mussels and Cod

Under the chef’s guidance, participants learn the proper techniques for preparing mussels and cod (baccalà), two staple seafood dishes in Ligurian cuisine.

First, they’ll clean and debeard the mussels, then sauté them in olive oil, garlic, and white wine.

For the cod, the chef demonstrates how to rehydrate the dried fish, remove any bones, and poach it to perfection.

Participants will then combine the tender mussels and cod with tomatoes, olives, and herbs to create authentic Ligurian seafood stew.

Throughout the process, the chef shares tips on sourcing the freshest ingredients and balancing flavors.

Make Gnocchi and Tiramisu

After preparing the seafood dishes, participants dive into the art of making gnocchi and tiramisu, two beloved Italian classics.

The chef guides them through the process of crafting pillowy potato gnocchi, pairing it with a vibrant Ligurian pesto.

Participants then learn the secrets to assembling the rich and decadent tiramisu, layering ladyfingers, espresso, and a creamy mascarpone filling.

Throughout, the chef shares tips and techniques to help recreate these dishes back home, infusing each step with the flavors and traditions of the Ligurian coast.

With hands-on experience and expert instruction, the group masters the art of crafting these iconic Italian desserts, ready to impress friends and family with their newfound Ligurian cooking skills.

Pair Meal With Italian Wine

To complement the Ligurian-inspired seafood and pasta dishes, the chef hand-picks a bottle of local Italian wine, carefully selected to enhance the flavors of the prepared meal. The wine pairings are an integral part of the experience, as they bring out the best in each component of the seafood feast.

Participants can look forward to:

1. A crisp, mineral-driven white wine to balance the richness of the mussels and cod.
2. A medium-bodied red with bright acidity to cut through the creaminess of the gnocchi.
3. A sweet, dessert-style wine to perfectly complement the tiramisu.
4. An opportunity to learn about the unique grapes and terroir of the Ligurian region.

Sipping the carefully curated wines while savoring the homemade specialties creates a truly harmonious dining experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Participants With Dietary Restrictions Be Accommodated?

Participants with dietary restrictions can be accommodated. The chef works closely with guests to ensure they can participate fully and enjoy the menu. Advance notice is required to make any necessary modifications.

What Is the Minimum Age Requirement for the Cooking Class?

There is no minimum age requirement specified for this cooking class. However, children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult participant. The class is suitable for participants of all ages who are interested in learning Ligurian cuisine.

Is Transportation to and From the Meeting Point Included?

No, transportation to and from the meeting point is not included in the cooking class. Participants are responsible for making their own way to the designated meeting location at the Church of Nostra Signora Della Neve.

Can Participants Take Home Any Leftover Food From the Meal?

Participants can take home any leftover food from the meal. The cooking class provides printed recipes, so guests can re-create the dishes at home and share the Ligurian flavors with friends and family.

Is There a Secure Place to Store Personal Belongings During the Class?

Yes, there is a secure place to store your personal belongings during the class. The venue provides a designated storage area where participants can leave their items safely while they focus on the cooking experience.

Recap

This cooking class in La Spezia offers an immersive experience into Ligurian cuisine.

Guests explore the local market, learn to prepare traditional dishes like mussels, cod, gnocchi, and tiramisu, and enjoy a full meal paired with Italian wine.

It’s an authentic taste of the region’s flavors and a chance to recreate these specialties at home, empowered with newfound cooking skills and cultural insights.